Nature’s Edge in Horse Care

Natural ingredient power players for your horse’s best life.

In the world of horse care, more and more owners, barn managers, and veterinarians are looking for solutions that deliver powerful results without compromising on gentleness or sustainability. For many, that means turning to products harnessing the best of nature and proven science.

Natural ingredients can offer more than just “feel-good” appeal — they can provide targeted, effective care while being better for the environment. Here’s why that matters and how it can be easy to go green and stay powerful. Since 1892, when we launched an herb-based liniment, Absorbine has led the industry by using proven and effective ingredients from nature to help horses live healthier lives.

Why Choose Natural Ingredients for Horses?

1. Gentle on Sensitive Horses’ Systems
   Horses can have sensitive skin and unique metabolic needs. Natural, plant-based ingredients can be a great alternative to help reduce the risk of irritation while delivering effective care.
   
   

2. Sustainable and Eco-Safe
   Many botanical and naturally derived ingredients come from renewable sources and break down more easily in the environment — a win for the barn, the pasture, and the planet.
   
   

3. Proven Performance Backed by Science
   “Natural” doesn’t mean untested. The right botanical or mineral ingredient can be as effective (or even more effective) than synthetic alternatives, especially when formulated for maximum potency and stability.

Some categories of horse care that incorporate natural ingredients include hoof health, fly control and wound care. 

Natural Nourishment for Hoof Health

Hoof conditioners formulated with herbal ingredients like tea tree oil, arnica, comfrey, and avocado oil, help support a balanced moisture level for stronger, healthier hooves—all without artificial chemicals or dyes.

Tea tree oil has been used for centuries as a botanical medicine, and according to a study by Linda Halcón, PhD, MPH, RN and Kelly Milkus, BA, in the American Journal of Infection Control, it has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties and is effective in treating wounds. Tea tree oil can stimulate white blood cells involved in the healing process.

Arnica is a perennial plant in the sunflower family, often found in temperate regions of North America. In an article in Practical Horseman by holistic equine veterinarian Madalyn Ward, arnica is recommended for soft-tissue damage, such as muscle strain or soreness, or bruising or bleeding resulting from a traumatic injury. Arnica stabilizes the capillary system, slows or stops seepage, and starts healing by causing blood and fluid to resorb.

Comfrey is a shrub growing in parts of Europe, Asia and North America and is said to have been cultivated as a healing herb since around 400BC. It promotes the natural healing of bones, cartilage, and connective tissues. It contains allantoin, a compound that encourages new cell growth.

For sore-footed horses, treat soles with products that contain natural ingredients like turpentine and iodine. These ingredients draw out heat and provide soothing comfort. They are practical, fast-acting, and favored by farriers for maintaining hoof health during intense training or competition.

Turpentine is an oily resin from coniferous trees, particularly pine trees. It has antiseptic properties that can help disinfect the hoof, which is beneficial for treating minor injuries or infections, such as those caused by stone bruises or other injuries. It can also help draw out moisture from the hoof in wet conditions. 

Used in equine hoof care for its antiseptic and disinfectant properties, iodine primarily prevents and treats bacterial and fungal infections.

Plant-Powered Fly Control

An eco-safe fly spray can be super effective when its ingredient list includes a blend of essential oils, including thyme, citronella, lemongrass, cedarwood, rosemary and clove. Most will also include geraniol.

Flies and gnats do not like the smell of cloves or citronella. Geraniol has been proven effective in repelling mosquitoes, house flies, stable flies, horn flies, gnats, dog ticks, Lone Star ticks, and no-see-ums. Geranium oil is the primary source of geraniol, but it can also be found in citronella and lemongrass oil. These ingredients help to repel biting flies and gnats without synthetic insecticides and provide reliable protection. A bonus of fly sprays that include these natural components is a fresh, herbal scent that is overpowering and unpleasant to pests, but fragrant and pleasing to humans.

Cedarwood oil is an effective natural pest-control agent. Fred Eller, an entomologist and National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research (ARS) chemist, collaborating with other ARS scientists, tested cedarwood oil against houseflies, ticks, and mosquitoes. The cedarwood oil killed them all. These studies were published in Environmental Entomology in 2014.

In an article published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Eller notes that the cedar tree (Juniperus virginiana) is an invasive species that has encroached onto North American pastures and rangeland and is in abundant supply. The sale of invasive trees can provide income for farmers and produce natural repellent products for consumers. It’s a win/win. 

Rosemary oil has strong repellent action against mosquitoes and other flying insects.
It works by masking the chemical signals flies use to locate animals making it an excellent repellent. A 2019 article published in the Malaria Journal, a 20% rosemary oil  solution provided up to eight hours of protection against a particular variety of mosquito.

In an article in the Pest Science Journal, clove oil contains eugenol, a compound toxic to many insect species. It repels houseflies and stable flies and can kill on contact at higher concentrations. Data from a study published in Scientific Reports shows that clove oil offered protection against mosquito bites.

Healing Backed by Nature’s Best

Each year the CDC observes U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week (USAAW) that raises awareness of the threat of antibiotic resistance and the importance of appropriate use. Antibiotics use a specific target to kill bacteria, and bacteria can develop resistance by altering that target, rendering the antibiotic ineffective. 

The medical-grade properties of Manuka honey combined with silver promote rapid healing while keeping skin moisturized and protected. It’s proven to stop bacteria and promote fast healing. As wounds heal, it protects the skin microbiome so wounds can recover quickly and comfortably.

Manuka honey is produced from the nectar of the Manuka tree, which is native to Australia and New Zealand. According to a 2023 article in EquiManagement by Nancy S. Loving, DVM, non-healing wounds treated unsuccessfully with several antimicrobials have a good track record of responding to treatment with Manuka honey.

Silver ions also have antibacterial properties and use various mechanisms to target and kill bacteria. Silver also has beneficial anti-inflammatory properties. Together, Manuka honey and silver are a dynamic duo for wound care.

 

Look for other natural ingredients in skin health and wound care products, like oregano leaf oil, tea tree oil, lavender oil and rosemary oil. According to a 2022  article in Scientific Review by Carol L. Falck, VMD, veterinarians incorporate these essential oils as part of wound management, and current studies demonstrate that their use accelerates wound healing.

Science-Based Results. Gentle on Your Horse. Good for the Planet.
You don’t have to choose between powerful performance and environmental responsibility. Products designed to support your horse’s health and comfort use the best nature has to offer, combined with precise, science-driven formulations free from toxic or harsh chemicals that may live on in the environment.

These natural solutions give you the confidence that you’re caring for your horse in a way that’s as kind to the planet as it is effective for their needs.

Some of Absorbine’s products that harness the power of natural ingredients include Hooflex® All-Natural Dressing, Hooflex® Magic Cushion®, Ultrashield® Green and the family of Silver Honey® Rapid Relief Skin Care products. Learn more about Absorbine’s natural products here.